Overhead sprinkling apparatus



April 13, 1954 T E, ROSENE 2,675,269

' OVERHEAD SPRINKLING APPARATUS I v Filed Aug. 18, 1950 INVENTOR. 7712/: Z Faye/ 6 Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a sprinkling apparatus and in particular to an overhead sprinkler suitable for use in areas where surface irrigation is impracticable or which are inaccessible to truckborne watering equipment, as for example forest areas or densely planted orchard or nursery areas.

An object of the invention is to provide a sprinkling apparatus of the foregoing nature comprising an elevated sprinkling pipe spanning and supported by a tiltable traveling support or tower and a central support or tower so as to swing about the latter as a radius vector, the tension in the pipe tending to tilt the traveling tower radially inward toward the central tower and being counterbalanced by a weight carried by the traveling tower tending to tilt the latter radially outward, the traveling tower being thereby guided generally in a desired curved path about the central tower by means of ground engaging wheels operatively mounted on the travel ing tower so as to steer the latter inward of said desired curved path when the traveling tower is tilted radially inward and to steer that tower outward of said path when that tower is tilted radially outward. Thus should the traveling tower stray outward from the desired curved path, it will be tilted inward by the sprinkling pipe, causing the traveling tower to steer inward toward the central tower, and to be returned to the untilted condition by the counterbalancing weight. When the traveling tower strays inward of the desired curved path, the pipe will permit the traveling tower to tilt radially outward by reason of the counterbalancing weight, whereupon the traveling tower will steer outward. As a result, the traveling tower will move in a generally circular path about the central tower.

In a preferred construction, some of the wheels of the tiltable traveling tower are arranged along the side thereof on the inside of the desired curved path of movement and are mounted to steer that tower inward of said path. Some of the wheels of the traveling tower are also arranged along the side thereof on the outside of the curved path and are mounted to-steer that tower outward of said path. Thus as the traveling tower is tilted radially inward as aforesaid, its outer side will be elevated and its weight will be carried primarily by the wheels on the inside of the curve, causing the tower to turn inward toward the central tower. When the traveling tower is tilted outward, the inner side thereof will be elevated and the weight of the tower will be carried substantially by the wheels on the outside of the curve, causing that tower to steer outward from the central tower.

The traveling tower may be powered by any suitable means, as for example electricity if available, gasoline motor, orthe like. In a pre ferredapplication of the present invention, a

7 Claims- (Cl. 299-54) simple water pressure operated motor is employed, since water pressure will necessarily be available if the sprinkler is to be operated. The water pressure for operation of the motor is thus readily carried by a motor supply pipe spanning the towers generally side by side with the sprinkling pipe, and is distributed under pressure from any suitable source radially through both pipes from the central tower. also be mounted on wheels to permit its portage from one location to another, in which case it is suitably supported by guy wires to prevent its tipping.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims,

It is to be understood that the present inven tion is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, a particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by theway of example comprising a central tower III which may be fixed at a suitable source of water pressure H, or may be portable from place to place as desired. In the latter event the tower it will be suitably supported by guy wires l2 as shown and may be mounted on wheels if desired to facilitate portability.

The water supply I I may comprise any suitable water tap, including a pressure booster pump if necessary, and is connected with a supply header l3 supported within the framework of the tower l9 and extending above the top thereof.

Connected to the upper end of the header, I3 by means of swivel coupling i4 is a suitable sprinkling pipe I5, which may be of conventional construction. In the present instance the pipe I5 is provided with a plurality of small Water outlets lEa spaced along its length. Where the pipe i5 is of appreciable length, as in the usual instance, the outlets 15a will be larger and more closely spaced near its outer end to compensate for pressure drop and the increased area swept over by the outer portions of the pipe.

Preferably the pipe i5 comprises a number of conveniently handled lengths of lightweight aluminum alloy tubing, connected in series to The central tower may i complete the required length, which may feasibly be at least two hundred feet. With such a length, a half inch inside diameter is satisfactory for ordinary sprinkling purposes, the volume of delivery being controlledby regulating the-supply pressure. 'In=order' tominimize'weight, the small diameter pipe operated at higher pressure is usually preferred. The outer end of the sprinkling pipe l5 terminates at a cap l6 whichist-connected to a boss H at the top of a traveling tower l8 by means of a link [9.

In order to counterbalance the -tension inthe pipe i5, a cable 25 passin in the present instance over a pulley 2| is secured at one end t'oi the boss I? and at the other end to a counterbalancing weight upward from-the tower iii-and disposed'to'suse pendithe weight 22*at' a location spaced outwardoi' the-tower it onithe side, thereof opposite the pipe i5; Swingingof the weight .22" isprevented by airigid support '2 which-extends freely aroundv the weight. 2Q .90 as to avoid vertical support thereto and is rigidly "secured to the tower: near the basei25i thereof.

V The baseft of the/tower it: comprises a=three wheeled truck or triangular frame having. a single rear driving wheel 26 journaled at the apex ther of'and a: pair of laterallyspaced front wheels 2 i 'and '28 "journaled' at the sides thereof on the inside and "outside respectively of a generally circular pathof movement about the tower Ill; indicatedby the arrow/-29; Fig. l. As'will heapparent from the followin discussion, the curva (luref. the path" 25* has a radiuaapproximately equal to the length of the pipe idandis'considerably exaggeratedinithe drawing for the purpose of illustration. r The rearwheel 26 liesin'a'yertical plane substantially tangent to the circular path 29; In

order tomaintain the truck zd-substantiallyhn the path 29, the front wheel 21 1s mounted to steer inward from the curved path 2 ata fixed angle wand the wheel 28 ismounted'tosteeroutward from said path 29-at a fined angie- It is thus apparent that as thetr uck 25 strays out-- ward fromthe path 29, theten'sion'in the radial pipe-{iS'will pull the top of the tower I'8 ra'dially inward, raising't'he wheel 28 f-rom the ground and throwing the load of the truck'25 on the wheels ZB-and- El. Asa result the truck 25*Wi11 turn inward of' the path 29 in a curved pathof'smaller radius until the tower I8 straightens. Inthe event that the truck 25' should strayinward'from the path 29; slackening'of the-pipel5-'wi1l permit If the counterbalancing weight 22 to tilt the'truck radially outward. Asa result,thewhee1" 2'l will be elevated from the ground; The'truck will then ride on the wheels 26 and 28and' turn-outward 25 will throw the load thereo'f'tobnesid'e or the otherand effect the steering action, so that the simple reciprocating type Water pressure operated motor having few parts to get out of order-has proven satisfactory. Power for the motor 30 may besupplied directly from the pipe 15115111? in" The'pulley- 2 I r is supported; at the endLof fined boom 23 eXtending anguiarly' order to minimize pressure in that pipe, a separate motor supply pipe 32 of small bore extendin between the towers l0 and 18 side by side with the pipe I5 is preferred. The inner end of the 'pipe:32'is connectedto'the-supply header I3 also by means ofthe swiv'elcoupling M and is connected by means of an L-coupling 3i, integral with the cap IE, to a downward and rearward pipeextension-Strwhich is operatively connected at its lower end to the motor 30. Like the pipe l5", the-pipe 32 preferably comprises a number of conveniently handled short lengths of aluminum alloy tubin connected in series. Inasmuch asthe'power requirement of the motor is slight, the truck 25 usually requiring one to several days 'to 'completez a trip=around the towerlfl, an: internal diameter of approximately onequarter inch or less-:for the pipe 32'. has'proven satisfactory.

By the structure described, it is apparent that: it is only necessary to; provide a comparatively clear'circular "path 2 9? about'the tower l d'andsthe sprinkling apparatus will operate automatically" thereafter, upon being. connected with the' water' supply" l l, without. interference from trees .or'

other plants to be watered within the circular path. The towers It and: I B willof coursebe sufliciently high to suspend the pipe l5 abovethe trees or plants' to be Wateredl' In addition to supplying water, the apparatusis 'also' useful for spraying nutrient solutions, insecticidal-solutions; and the like.

nights.

I claim:

'1. In a sprinkling apparatus, a central'support, a traveling tiltable support, an elevated" sprinkling pipe connectible With- 1a, source of pres surized water, saidsprinkling pipe spanning being supported under" t'ens ion" by said supports for swinging. generally as a radius-vector uponmovement of the traveling support generally in a desired' curved path about the central support, means carried by thetra'velin'g support tending to tilt the same-radially outward of said path to ccmnterbalan'ce the" tension inthe sprinklingpip'etending to tilt the traveling support radially inward; means to guidesaid traveling support outward of' said path comprising an outwa rdi ground engaging direction control wheel journaled" on" the traveling support at the side thereof'out'ward of "said path; thereby to assume travelin'g' support upon outward tilting thereof; said outward-wheel' being biased to steer the traveling supportout'ward of said path, andmeans to guide-said traveling support inward of {said path'c'omprising an inward ground engaging'direction 'controlwheef journaled-on' the traveling support at the =side thereof inward 01f saidpath, thereby to assume an increased proportion of the weight of the traveling support upon inward tilting thereof, said inward wheel lb ein'g biased to steer the traveling support inward of said path.

-2. In-a sprinkling apparatus, a central support, a power driven travelingjtiltable support, anelevated sprinkling pipe connectible with a source of pressurizedwater, said sprinkling pipe spanning and being supported under tension by Lili wise the" apparatus is particularly' useful for spraying orchards and the like to prevent damageby freezing duringfrosty port tending to tilt the same radially outward of said path to counterbalance the tension in the sprinkling pipe tending to tilt the traveling support radially inward, a forward ground engaging direction control wheel journaled on the traveling support on the side thereof outward of said path and directed outward or" said path, and a forward ground engaging direction control wheel journaled on the traveling support on the side thereof inward of said path and directed inward of said path.

3. In a sprinkling apparatus, a central support, a traveling tiltable support, an elevated sprinkling pipe connectible with a source of pressurized water, said sprinkling pipe spanning and being supported under tension by said supports for swinging generally as a radius vector upon movement of the traveling support generally in a desired curved path about the central support, a water pressure operated motor carried by said traveling support to propel the same, a water pressure supply pipe also spanning said sup ports generally in parallelism with said sprinkling pipe and being operatively connected with said motor, means carried by the traveling support tending to tilt the same radially outward to counterbalance the tension in the sprinkling pipe tending to tilt the traveling support radially inward, means to guide said traveling support outward of said path comprising an outward ground engaging direction control wheel journaled on the traveling support at the side thereof outward of said path, thereby to assume an increased proportion of the weight of the traveling support upon outward tilting thereof, said outward wheel being biased to steer the traveling support outward of said path, and means to guide said traveling support inward of said path comprising an inward ground engaging direction control wheel journaled on the traveling support at the side thereof inward of said path, thereby to assume an increased proportion of the weight of the traveling support upon inward tilting thereof, said inward wheel being biased to steer the traveling support inward of said path.

4. In a sprinkling apparatus, a central support, a power driven traveling tiltable support, an elevated sprinkling pipe connectible with a source of pressurized water, said sprinkling pipe spam ning and being supported under tension by said supports for swinging generally as a radius vector upon movement of the traveling support generally in a desired curved path about the central support, a counterbalancing weight carried by said traveling support at a location spaced radially outward cfrom said base tending to tilt the traveling support radially outward to counterbalance the tension of said pipe, a forward ground engaging direction control Wheel journaled on the traveling support on the side thereof outward of said path and directed to roll outward of said path, thereby to guide the traveling support outward of said path upon outward tilting of said traveling support, and a forward ground engaging direction control wheel journaled on the traveling support on the side thereof inward of said path and directed to roll inward of said path, thereby to guide the traveling support inward of said path upon inward tilting of the traveling support.

5. In a sprinkling apparatus comprising a central tower, a tiltable travelin support, an ele vated sprinkling pipe under tension spanning and supported by said tower and support for swinging generally as a radius vector upon travel of the support generally in a desired curved path about the central tower, the tension in the pipe tending to tilt the support inward or said path toward the central support, means carried by the tiltable support tending to tilt the latter outward of said path to counterbalance the tension in the pipe, ground engaging wheels journaled on the supper to parry the same upon tilting thereof inward at said path and biased to steer the support inward of said path, and ground engaging wheels journaled on the support to carry the same upon tilting thereof outward of said path and biased to steer the support outward of said path.

6. In a vehicle tiltable from side to side. a central support, elevated means spanning the central support and vehicle under tension, said means being pivotally connected to the support to swing about the latter as a radius vector and being also connected to an upper portion of the vehicle, thereby tending to tilt the latter inward toward the support, means tending to tilt the vehicle outward from the support and counterbalancing a predetermined tension in said elevated means, guide means to guide the vehicle generally in a curved path about said support including a ground engaging direction control wheel journaled on the vehicle on the side thereof adjacent the support, said wheel being journaled to roll in a direction to steer the vehicle inward of said path, and also including a second ground engaging direction control wheel iournaled on the vehicle on the side thereof remote from said support, said second wheel being journaled to roll in a direction to steer the vehicle outward of said path.

7. In a wheeled vehicle tiltable from side to side, a central support. elevated means spanning the central support and vehicle under tension, said means being pivotally connected to the support to swing about the latter as a radius vector and being also connected to an upper portion of the vehicle, thereby tending to tilt the latter inward toward the support, means tending to tilt the vehicle outward from the support and counterbalancing a predetermined tension in said elevated means, guide means to guide the vehicle generally in a curved path about said support including a ground engaging front wheel journaled on the vehicle on the side thereof adjacent the support and directed inward of said path, and also including a second ground engaging front wheel journaled 0n the vehicle on the side thereof remote from said support and directed outward of said path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 690,762 Papenfus Jan. 7, 1902 1,108,528 Todd et al. Aug. 25, 1914 1,171,068 Schienke Feb. 8, 1916 1,197,534 Norton Sept. 5, 1916 2,097,840 Olmsted Nov. 2, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 356,073 Germany July 12, 1922 451,813 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1936 

